Winter Storm Ukko To Snarl Travel In US Northeast

Spring may be just two days away, but Winter Storm Ukko will ensure that many parts of the U.S. Northeast and southern Canada start the new season with a blanket of snow.

The same storm that dumped up to half a foot of snow in northern Kentucky Sunday moved Monday across the Appalachians and into the Hudson Valley, where it is expected to unleash as much as five inches of snow across New York’s western and northern suburbs.

Ukko will cross into New England overnight and drop as much as six inches of snow on Boston, which has already received more than 47 inches since the start of February, according to the National Weather Service. The heaviest snowfall will likely occur in New England and upstate New York throughout the day Tuesday, with some northern locations expecting as much as 24 inches of late winter powder.

The storm will also wallop southern Quebec, and Montreal could see as much as 10 inches by Wednesday morning, according to Environment Canada.

The deluge is a blessing for East Coast ski resorts, many of which experienced temperatures in the 80s this time last year. Everyday travelers, however, may find Winter Strom Ukko less of a thrill and more of a hassle.

Accuweather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said areas from Philadelphia to New York City will have mostly wet roads during the winter storm.

“However, there can be a few hours of wintry mix and wet snow for a brief time during the evening,” she explained. “Even after the changeover to rain, it will not be smooth sailing for travelers. The rain will still create less-than-ideal conditions for motorists by reducing visibility, while low-hanging clouds and the rain at area airports can trigger flight delays.”

Roads north of New York City could prove more treacherous, with thick snow sitting atop a thin layer of ice.

Flight delays piled up at airports Monday evening. Toronto reported average delays of nearly two-and-a-half hours, while Newark had delays of more than an hour and a half and Philadelphia more than an hour, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Houston-based FlightAware recorded nearly 400 flight cancellations across the United States Monday. The largest disruption occurred at Chicago O’Hare, where airlines nixed 100 flights in and out. Toronto Pearson and Philadelphia International had roughly 60 cancellations apiece.

Air travel disruptions will move into Boston Tuesday, where airlines have already axed a combined 30 fights in and out. FlightAware reported 58 cancellations in total for the day, though that number will likely grow as the storm arrives.

As always, anyone traveling by air is encouraged to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport, and those traveling by car should monitor the progress of the storm and check with local authorities to stay up to date on road conditions.